Trump: Until We Build Wall, Military Will Guard Border

President Trump speaks during a meeting with Baltic leaders in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

(Newser)
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President Trump has been repeatedly complaining about weak border security over the last few days, and on Tuesday he announced a "big step" to fix that: He plans to have the military guard the southern border, reports Reuters. Trump told reporters he will talk to defense chief Jim Mattis about the particulars of keeping would-be immigrants out of the country until the president's promised wall can be built. The New York Times sees the announcement as a "remarkable escalation" in his immigration crackdown, and Trump himself called the move unprecedented.

"Until we can have a wall and proper security, we’re going to be guarding our border with the military," he said. "That’s a big step. We really haven’t done that before, or certainly not very much before." Trump offered no specifics on what the plan would entail, but he again complained about "very bad laws for our borders" and said "we're going to be doing things militarily." Trump also has been considering the idea of paying for the wall out of the military's budget, but Democratic Sens. Jack Reed and Dick Durbin have written a letter to Mattis saying the Pentagon has "no legal authority" to use its funds in that way, reports CNBC. (Read more border security stories.)

The Posse Comitatus Act prohibits government troops from being used for law enforcement except by an Act of Congress. Trumplethinskin thinks he can just order it and it will be done. He's got a lot to learn, but so unwilling to do so.

Nasochkas

Apr 4, 2018 11:30 AM CDT

The Pentagon should take some photos of soldiers in full gear standing in an area that looks desert-like and tell him "see Mr. President, the military is guarding the boarder now like you asked".

SJay

Apr 4, 2018 9:33 AM CDT

Trump's call to militarize border comes as illegal crossings last year were lowest since 1971